Orioles Looking For DH, Lukewarm On Morneau
2:00 PM: Manager Buck Showalter told reporters, including Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, the Orioles are also considering internal options naming Wilson Betemit (on a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie) as a possibility. "You want to make sure the answer's not in your own backyard, something you're already paying for," Showalter said. "We don't have to trade Bowie anybody for Betemit, so we want to make sure with Wilson."
8:56 AM: The Orioles continue to look for a DH-type addition to their lineup and plan to make multiple waiver claims in order to facilitate a deal, sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). However, the club's interest in Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is lukewarm.
The O's were linked to Morneau for several weeks leading up to the July 31st non-waiver deadline but the veteran wound up staying put with his sizable salary serving as a roadblock to a possible deal. The Twins got Morneau through waivers last week, but it doesn't look like Baltimore will renew their interest in the 32-year-old, who is owed roughly $3.5MM between now and the end of the season.
Baltimore was also rumored to be interested in a reunion with Mark Reynolds after he was cut loose by the Indians, but the rival Yankees beat them to the punch.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Rosenthal On Freese, Cardinals, Reynolds, Dodgers
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has lots of good stuff in this weekend's edition of Full Count. Here's a look at some of the highlights..
- The Cardinals' promotion of Kolten Wong could be the first step towards the club trading David Freese. Obviously, Freese isn't having a good year, but the free agent market at third base this offseason will be very thin this season and will be headlined by veterans such as Juan Uribe and Michael Young. Freese is under club control through 2015 and while he's not an All-Star, it's easy to see teams making a play for him.
- Mark Reynolds had interest from a number of clubs but he signed with the Yankees because they offered him the best opportunity of any interested club. The Orioles thought about a reunion, but he only would have DH'd against left-handed pitching. The Royals also thought about Reynolds, but they expect Mike Moustakas to come back soon from his calf injury and the Rangers checked in but didn't have an immediate major league opening.
- The Dodgers will be the x-factor in Robinson Cano's free agency and they could be spurred by their recent success to make a play for him. The Dodgers have been indicating that they won't spend like crazy forever and could dedicate their resources to new deals for Clayton Kershaw and Hanley Ramirez. However, they could also move one of their surplus outfielders and find the spare cash for the second baseman.
Cafardo On Morneau, Red Sox, Young, Johnson
In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that rival scouts have their eye on the Red Sox who, despite leading the majors in runs, have been shut out nine times this season. “If you pitch the Red Sox the right way, you can shut them down,” said one National League scout. “They do a tremendous job of working the count. It’s an organizational philosophy that works for them. But they prey on pitchers who can’t throw strikes. They grind out at-bats, work the count, make pitchers throw way more pitches than they need. If you see a game where they get shut out or they get dominated, it’s because whoever is pitching isn’t allowing them to get into their game." Here's more from Cafardo..
- Justin Morneau wants to stay in Minnesota, but the Twins have rejected any offer to talk about a new deal, indicating they are ready to move on. The Red Sox might have some interest in him with Mike Napoli struggling, but their Mike Carp/Daniel Nava option at first base might a better alternative.
- A team like the Rays could take a chance on Delmon Young, who struggled considerably in Philly both at the plate and in the field. “He’s 27 years old going on 37,” said one AL scout. “He’s got bad feet, very slow. There are a lot of teams who need right-handed bats, but I wouldn’t touch him.”
- Josh Johnson will hit the open market in the winter after being shut down with a forearm strain and rival execs are understandably wary about the Blue Jays pitcher. “He’s either going to be a gold mine for someone who gets him cheap and then reaps the benefits or someone is going to get taken like the Blue Jays did,” said one AL executive.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manuel, Yankees, Zito, Abreu
As skipper of the Fort Worth Cats of the Central League, Bobby Bragan became the oldest person to ever manage a professional baseball game on this date in 2005. The 87-year-old, whose one day of employment only lasted until the third inning when he argued balls and strikes with the umpire, was eight days older than Connie Mack, who managed his last game for the 1950 Philadelphia A’s. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- Cracked Bell Sports reflects on Charlie Manuel's time in Philadelphia.
- Pinstripe Pundits discusses the Yankees' aging outfield.
- Swingin A's looks at a possible reunion for Barry Zito and Oakland.
- Replacement Level Red Sox argues that Boston should look into signing Jose Dariel Abreu.
- Inside The Zona breaks down Paul Goldschmidt's NL MVP candidacy.
- Kings Of Kauffman applauds Bruce Chen.
- Camden Depot attempts to identify Jim Johnson's problem.
- Wahoo's On First wonders if the Tribe missed out on the chance to extend Jason Kipnis cheaply.
- The Giants Cove examines the legend of RISP.
- Shutdown Inning explains why Jurickson Profar is untradeable.
- Baseball Hot Corner updates us on the progress of some of 2013's top draft picks.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Dan Haren, Erik Bedard Clear Waivers
Nationals pitcher Dan Haren and Astros hurler Erik Bedard have cleared waivers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Mariners infielder Brendan Ryan and White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom have also cleared waivers and even though the clubs floated them out there prior to the non-waiver deadline, it's not clear how much interest they'll generate.
Haren was first placed on waivers last week, so the news that he cleared doesn't come as a surprise. The Nats were expecting more than a 4.99 ERA when they signed the 32-year-old to a one-year, $13MM contract this offseason but his 8.0 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 are promising. Haren is owed just under $3.7MM for the remainder of the year. The Nationals still have a shot at catching the Reds for the final Wild Card spot, however, and they're likely not in sell mode at the moment.
Bedard, 34, isn't a world-beater, but he could appeal to clubs as he is owed roughly $300K for the rest of the season. The veteran owns a 4.28 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 21 starts and two relief outings in 2013.
Lindstrom, 33, has a 3.47 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 58 relief appearances for the White Sox this season. The right-hander has been a little stronger in years past as he owns a career 3.62 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.
West Notes: Ramirez, Giants, Zito, D’Backs
Earlier today a pair of AL West clubs made a small trade when the Astros shipped Travis Blackley to the Rangers for cash and a player to be named later. Blackley, who was recently outrighted by Houston, was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock. Here's a look at the latest out of the AL and NL West..
- Manny Ramirez tells Hector Cruz of ESPNDeportes (via Twitter, Spanish link) that he won't retire from baseball and will seek out a new opportunity. The slugger was released by the Rangersyesterday.
- Barry Zito's large home/road split is an obstacle to an August trade, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com says. The Giants hurler has a 3.01 ERA in 71.2 innings at home this year, but a 9.50 ERA in 41.2 innings on the road. However, the lefty is now in the final guaranteed months of his contract, so it could be "more than just a formality" that he cleared waivers, sources told Knobler. Zito is owed $20MM this season, with a $7MM buyout for 2014.
- The Diamondbacks won't rush to promote top prospect Archie Bradley this season unless they're in the thick of things and he can make a difference, writes MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Aaron Steen contributed to this post.
AL East Notes: Cano, Rays, Morneau, Konerko, Young
Koji Uehara had another solid outing last night for the Red Sox, but his 1 1/3 scoreless innings had an impact for beyond the 2013 season. The Boston closer will make $4.25MM in 2014 after locking in his option and he can bump that up to $5MM if he finishes 12 more games, giving him 35 in total. In 54 2/3 innings this season, the veteran has a 1.32 ERA with 12.3 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9. Here's more out of the AL East..
- Many believe that Jay-Z is looking to make a statement with Robinson Cano's contract this winter, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. “My opinion is that (Jay-Z) is very concerned with making a public display of self-promotion. So one would think that a show is coming at the player’s expense designed to play the Dodgers and Yankees against each other. I am sure they see it coming. And if you are one of those teams, do you give Cano an A-Rod deal and make him your franchise player?,” one agent said.
- Trading Emilio Bonifacio to the Royals was a "sell low" for Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi tweets. Anthopoulos had to work hard to snag Bonifacio in last year's blockbuster trade with the Marlins, as many teams were targeting him, according to Davidi.
- A right-handed hitter would be a better fit for the Rays than a lefty such as Justin Morneau, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Topkin suggests the recently released Delmon Young or Paul Konerko as possibilities.
- Michael Valancius of DRaysBay asks if the Rays should have given Dane De La Rosa more of a chance in the big leagues before letting him go to the Angels. In 53.0 innings with the Angels, he has a 3.74 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.
Aaron Steen contributed to this post.
Diamondbacks Sign Joash Brodin
We'll keep track of tonight's minor moves here..
- The Diamondbacks have purchased the contract of outfielder Joash Brodin from the independent league Long Island Ducks, the Ducks announced. Brodin, 26, hit .307/.376/.441 in 106 games for Long Island this season and will report to the D-Backs' Class-A affiliate. He is the fourth Ducks player to be signed by a big-league team this year.
Royals Acquire Emilio Bonifacio
2:24pm: Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters, including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet, that the Royals claimed Bonifacio off waivers and a trade came together quickly this morning. The trade will be completed by mid-September, and it sounds like the Jays will receive cash (Twitter links).
12:07pm: The Royals announced that they have acquired Emilio Bonifacio from the Blue Jays in exchange for cash or a player to be named later. Bonifacio's name popped up in trade talk in late July but he wasn't moved prior to the non-waiver deadline.
Bonifacio, 28, came to Toronto in the offseason blockbuster with the Marlins. The versatile veteran hasn't performed well north of the border, however, hitting just .218/.258/.321 on the year with three homers. While Bonifacio has never been known for his bat, his .271/.332/.345 slash line in four years with the Marlins was considerably better than what he's done in 2013.
Bonifacio is earning $2.6MM as a second-year arbitration eligible player and KC will be on the hook for the prorated portion of his salary which comes out to about $654K. The Wasserman Media Group client has one more year of arbitration eligibility ahead of him and can hit the open market following the 2014 campaign.
The switch-hitter has spent significant time at the three outfield posiions, second base, third base, and shortstop. The deal brings Bonifacio to the same organization as his younger brother, Jorge, who is an outfielder at Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
Justin Morneau Clears Waivers
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau has cleared waivers, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Twitter link). The veteran can now be traded to any club after clearing the 47-hour revocable waiver period.
The 2006 American League MVP was placed on waivers on Monday, and his waiver period expired today at noon CT. The 32-year-old has dealt with a litany of injuries in recent years which have hurt his production tremendously. Morneau boasted a slash line of .298/.372/.528 from 2006-10 but has hit just .257/.317/.410 over the past three seasons.
Morneau is earning $14MM in the final season of a six-year, $80MM contract, meaning that roughly $3.5MM is still owed to him for the remainder of the deal. The Pirates, Orioles, and Rays all had interest in Morneau before the July 31st deadline, but a rough July hurt his trade value. He's heated up recently though, hitting .268/.293/.643 with six homers and three doubles in August entering today's game against Cleveland.
A scout recently told Danny Knobler of CBS Sports that Morneau looks like a different player this month: "He's swinging the bat much better than he was," the scout said. "His body looks more lively, too." Morneau becomes the sixth player to have reportedly cleared waivers this month.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.